There is nothing more timeless than curling up to read a good book, especially during cold or inclement weather. However, many aging retirees find this activity less than enjoyable because many have poor vision when compared to younger people, but below are some tips that will help the elderly enjoy reading.
Electronic Readers
While many who are over the age of 65 still prefer physical books, electronic readers provide numerous advantages. The first and most obvious is that you can hold an entire library in your hands, a feat that is impossible with physical literature. These readers also give you the ability to enlarge the size of the font or change it completely, and because many of these devices come with backlit screens, it is much easier on the eyes of elders.
Audio Books
Some retirees cannot read because they are blind, or they are capable of reading text but don’t like doing it because they prefer listening to information instead. For these people, the best solution is audiobooks. Most don’t require dedicated players and instead come in the form of software that can be installed on smartphones which they can listen to with headphones.
It should also be noted that many web browsers such as Microsoft Edge now have a “read aloud” feature where retirees can “read” articles by listening to them. To use this feature, you’ll want to open Microsoft Edge, go to the article you wish to read, left click and drag to highlight it, then right click and choose “read aloud.”
Find an Interesting Subject
Retirees differ greatly when it comes to the subject matter they enjoy. While some prefer fiction, others like nonfiction, and some prefer a mixture of both. Caretakers that want to help elders read should first inquire about the subjects that interest them, such as history, science fiction, romance, horror, or comedy. Figuring out what interests them is the first step to recommending literature they might enjoy.
Prevent Eye Strain
Some elders are discouraged from reading because it places too much strain on their eyes. To alleviate this, they’ll want to practice a technique called 20/20/20, where every twenty minutes they will glance at something which is twenty feet away for a minimum of twenty seconds. It can also help to purchase accessories such as magnifying glasses, some of which come with lights that are built-in and capable of illuminating the entire page.
Why is Reading So Important?
Reading is a necessity for people of all ages, but unfortunately, the practice is not as popular as it used to be. Americans, in general, are reading fewer books, and many experts believe it is partly because of other forms of popular entertainment such as movies and video games.
However, reading is a necessity for those over the age of 65 because it keeps them informed of world events and encourages them to use their cognitive function which minimizes the likelihood of developing memory-related disorders.
